Aftermarket engine bursts into flames and destroys Pinarello bike

The dangers of DIY bike modifications were learned from an Australian Septuagenian whose Pinarello bike was melted after his retrofit e-bike battery went up in flames.

Gerry Ryan, 79, suffered minor burns and saw his bike being written off as he drove down Adelaide's Corkscrew Hill, which is regularly used by the Tour Down Under WorldTour.

An alleged short in the circuit caused the battery to burn with reports of ten-foot flames. Ryan's bibshorts then also got out before he climbed in his saddlebag with the Co2 canisters, which also went up in flames as the fire spread across the dry earth.

Fortunately, nearby firefighters were watching a small bush that allowed them to reach the flame and keep it from spreading in time.

Australian TV channel Nine messages I participated in the incident and spoke with Ryan, who said of his mishaps: "When I came up the hill, my electric bike caught fire and I threw it down."

Ryan's friend Keith Harris, who saw the incident, added that his Ryan & # 39; s just got off the bike before it actually went up in flames. It was probably ten feet high to start cycling. & # 39;

Fortunately, apart from Ryan's minor burns, there were no more injuries and the fire was controlled and cleared before it had time to spread.

The riders noticed that it was fortunate that there was no wind, considering how dry the terrain followed Australia's long heatwave.

Ryan's Pinarello F8 was set on fire with the lithium-based battery after purchase.

E-bikes for the aftermarket have been around for some time now with the option of retroactively adapting engine systems to the bottom bracket or the rear hub. The option of a friction motor in the seat tube is also available.

This type of system was also the center of controversy after several controversial claims that electric motors had been used in professional peloton.

So far, only a single incident of electronic doping has been observed in professional cycling. This was Femke Van den Driessche, the Belgian cyclocross rider who is currently suspended for six years after being charged with mechanical doping at the 2016 World Championships.